2nd Timothy Chapter 2

From The Open Bible Project

2:1 You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

• (1) The conclusion of the former exhortation which has also a declaration added to it: how those who do not keep that worthy thing that is committed to them, who keep it to themselves, but rather those who do most freely communicate it with others, to the end that many may be partakers of it, without any man’s loss or hindrance.

2:2 The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

• (a) When many were there, who can bear witness of these things.

2:3 You therefore must endure hardship, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

• (2) Another admonition: that the ministry of the word is a spiritual warfare, which no man can so travail in that he pleases his captain, unless he abstains from and parts with all hindrances which might draw him away from it.

2:4 No soldier on duty entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.

• (b) With affairs of household, or other things that belong to other ordinary businesses.

2:5 Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn't crowned unless he has competed by the rules.

• (3) The third admonition: the ministry is similar to a game in which men strive for the victory, and no man is crowned, unless he strive according to the laws which are prescribed, be they ever so hard and painful.

2:6 The farmers who labor must be the first to get a share of the crops.

• (4) Another similarity with respect to the same matter: no man may look for the harvest, unless he first take pains to plow and sow his ground.

2:7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.

• (5) All these things cannot be understood, and much less practised, unless we ask of God and he gives us understanding.

2:8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my Good News,

• (6) He confirms plainly two principles of our faith, which are alway assaulted by heretics, the one of which (that is, that Christ is the true Messiah, made man of the seed of David) is the ground of our salvation: and the other is the highest part of it, that is, that he is risen again from the dead.

2:9 in which I suffer hardship to the point of chains as a criminal. But God's word isn't chained.

• (7) The taking away of an objection: it is true that he is kept in prison as an evildoer, yet there is no reason why some should therefore go about to take away credit from his Gospel. And this is because God has blessed his ministry; indeed, the example of this his captivity and patience, did rather in different ways strengthen and encourage his Church in the hope of a better life.

2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the chosen ones' sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

2:11 This saying is faithful: "For if we died with him, we will also live with him.

• (8) The fourth admonition: we ought not to contend upon words and questions, which are not only unprofitable, but also for the most part hurtful: but rather upon this, how we may compose ourselves to every manner of patience, and to die also with Christ (that is to say, for Christ’s name) because that is the plain way to the most glorious life. And contrary to this, the falling away of men can diminish no part of the truth of God, even though by such means they procure most certain destruction to themselves.
• (c) If we are afflicted with Christ, and for Christ’s sake.

2:12 If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us.

2:13 If we are faithless, he remains faithful. He can't deny himself."

2:14 Remind them of these things, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they don't argue about words, to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear.

• (d) Call God to witness, or as a Judge: as Moses, Joshua, Samuel, and Paul himself did, in Acts 13.

2:15 Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn't need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.

• (9) The fifth admonition: a minister must not be an idle disputer, but a faithful steward in correctly dividing the word of truth, in so much that he must stop the mouths of other vain babblers.
• (e) By adding nothing to it, neither deleting anything, neither mangling it, nor rending it apart, nor distorting it: but marking diligently what his hearers are able to bear, and what is fit to edifying.

2:16 But shun empty chatter, for they will proceed further in ungodliness,

• (f) Mark and watch, and see that they do not creep on further.
• (10) He reveals the subtilty of Satan, who beginning with these principles, draws us by little and little to ungodliness through the means of that wicked and profane babbling, which gradually increases. And this he proves by the horrible example of those that taught that the resurrection was already past.

2:17 and their word will consume like gangrene, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

2:18 men who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and overthrowing the faith of some.

2:19 However God's firm foundation stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are his,"[1] and, "Let every one who names the name of [2] the Lord [See 2nd Timothy Footnotes 2] depart from unrighteousness."

• (11) A digression, in which he heals the offence that rose by their falling away. Firstly, he shows that the elect are out of all danger of any such falling away. Secondly, that they are known to God, and not to us: and therefore it is no marvel if we often mistake hypocrites for true brethren. But we must take heed that we are not like them, but rather that we are indeed such as we are said to be.
• (g) That serves and worships him, and as it were named of him, a faithful man or Christian.

2:20 Now in a large house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are for honor, and some for dishonor.

• (12) The taking away of an objection: it is not dishonour to the good man of the house, that he has not in a great house all vessels of one sort and for one service, but we must look to this, that we are found vessels prepared to honour.

2:21 If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master's use, prepared for every good work.

• (h) By these words is meant the execution of the matter, and not the cause: for in that we purge ourselves, it is not to be attributed to any free will that is in us, but to God, who freely and wholly works in us, a good and an effectual will.

2:22 Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

• (13) Returning to the matter from where he digressed in (2 Timothy 2:16), he warns him to exercise himself in serious matters, and such as pertain to godliness.
• (14) The sixth admonition: we must above all things avoid all bitterness of mind, both in teaching all men, and also in calling those back who have gone out of the way.

2:23 But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife.

2:24 The Lord's servant must not quarrel, but be gentle towards all, able to teach, patient,

• (i) To win them through our patient bearing with them, but not to please them or excuse them in their wickedness.

2:25 in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth,

• (k) He means those who do not yet see the truth.

2:26 and they may recover themselves out of the devil's snare, having been taken captive by him to his will.